Wont boot from CD after hard drive installation.

I just installed a new hard drive in an iBook 700mhz. I expected the system folder missing message, as the hard drive was blank. However now it wont boot from CD when I hold down c on boot. Also when I hold down option, I get a circular arrow and an arrow pointing to the right but no real options. I reset the PRAM but that didn't help. Any one have an idea?

Over the years I've seen some optical drive failures that were actually being caused by the hard drive. The first thing I'd suspect given a new drive is that you didn't quite seat the I/O cable. The second is that the HD is defective. A couple times everything seemed fine and when the drive was placed on the bench and after formatting it there and reinstalling it the drive and computer were happy.

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Emac wont boot from cd or hard drive & display qeustion mark ?

Hello, if someone can please help me.
I have an emac which is purchased in 2003, it has ran OSX 10.4 for around a year. Recently i clean installed the hard drive, but the installation kept failing.
When I restarted the computer a flashing qeustion mark in a folder alternating with the mac face logo appeared. If _ hold C down during startup - it wont start from the original OSX 10.2 that came with it either.
I dont know what to do, I've searched every corner of the web looking for a solution.
Thanks,
P.S I've even attempted removing the hard drive - then trying C at startup - still the same qeustion mark flashing!

If you have access to another Firewire-equipped Mac, it would be easier to use FireWire target disk mode with the other Mac as the Host and the eMac as the target. If the eMac's HD appears in target disk mode, first use the host Mac's Disk Utility to check the drive status in the eMac. If the eMac drive's SMART status is reading anything in red, your obvious next step is a replacement hard drive.
If you were attempting to boot from a retail black-label OS X 10.4 install disc, the eMac certainly should have recognized that unless the optical drive has gone bad as well. Have you checked the eMac's PRAM battery? It should read within 0.1v of the nominal 3.6v value while under load (e.g., still in the eMac battery holder). A failed or weal PRAM battery is a classic reason for a Mac failing to start up properly.
Replacing a failed PRAM battery should suffice in itself to revive the Mac. In some cases it may be necessary to carefully reset the PMU (see step 6 in eMac: How to Replace the Backup Battery).
After checking the PRAM battery, see if resetting PRAM helps; hold down command-option-p-r while starting up until you hear three sets of chimes, then release the keys.

How do I boot from an alternate hard drive?

How do I boot from an alternate hard drive?

Boot Using OPTION key:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "OPTION" key.
3. Release the key when the boot manager appears.
4. Select the desired disk icon from which you want to boot.
5. Click on the arrow button below the icon.

I want to Boot from My old hard drive.

I an trying to do this work around so I can continue using protools 7 with my MBP running Snow leopard. I pulled out my old hard drive running Tiger and put it into a USB case. I installed a new 650GB hard drive in to my laptop, installed Snow Leopard and reinstalled all my old software. So far so good. Now I want to boot from the old hard drive running Tiger so that I can launch Protools 7. I choose the external HD as the startup disc and end up getting a circle with a line through it on startup.
Is there something else I need to use my old hard drive running Tiger as a startup disk?
Thanks!

If the original HD still has the version of Tiger installed on it that came with the MBP (probably Mac OS X 10.4.8, build 8N1037, 8N1051, or 8N1430) or a later version of Tiger like 10.4.11, then the MBP should be able to boot from it.
To determine what OS & build number is on that drive, open the Startup Disk system preference. Hover the pointer over the drive's image in the window & the OS version & build number will pop up in a ToolTip window after a brief delay. What does it show?
Also, which MBP do you have? Open System Profiler to the Hardware Overview page. What is the Model Identifier shown in it? Is it "MacBookPro2,2" or something else?
Assuming the OS version & build number are sufficient to boot the MBP, it may be that the USB enclosure does not support booting. Most do, a few do not. What is brand/model of the enclosure? Do its specs specifically say it can boot a Mac?
If all of this seems OK, you can try running Disk Utility's two repairs (permissions & disk) on the external drive. If no errors are found, you may be able to get it to boot the Mac by reinstalling Tiger on it from the original system disc set. This will require updating the OS to the latest version you had installed on it for best results.

My Macbook air flash had gone for a month and I saw Apple's Macbook air flash storage drive replacement program. I'm not sure whether that program is still available for the broken device or not. Now, I'm booting from the external hard drive. Thank you.

My Macbook air flash had gone for a month and I saw Apple's Macbook air flash storage drive replacement program. I'm not sure whether that program is still available for the broken device or not. Now, I'm booting from the external hard drive. Warranty has gone in October 2013..
I want to send back my macbook air back to apple store. The problem is that I bought it from US and now, I'm using it in Myanmar. If the program is free of charge for my device, it's worth trying to send back to US. Since mine is broken, I'm afraid Apple will take charges for reparing.
So, if anyone having the same problem as me, I would like to get suggestion....
Thank you!!

I have no idea about how to handle the international aspect of your question.
But here is the Apple writeup about the problem and the remedy. Maybe that will help you.
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookair-flashdrive/

My computer shows the grey screen that says i need to restart when i tray and boot from an external hard drive

It shows the grey screen that i need to restart when i try to boot from an external hard drive. both drives have snow leopard

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How do I boot from an external hard drive if my MacBook Pro only recognizes the internal drive?

Hi there, I recently got the white screen of death (w/ circle slash) on my 13" 2009 MacBook Pro. Most people are saying that it is hard drive failure, so I am trying to boot it from an external hard drive to save some of my data before having it repaired. Unfortunately, every time I press "option" while it boots, it only shows the internal drive on the grey screen. I have my external drive connected, but it won't recognize it. What should I do?
Thanks!

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
You can only start from an external drive if OS X is installed there. If not, it won't appear as a bootable volume because there isn't any operating system inside it.
As you have a Mid 2009 MacBook Pro, it's better to start from the Mac OS X disc that came with your Mac. Insert it and hold the C key while your Mac is starting. After starting, go to Utilities menu > Disk Utility, select "Macintosh HD" in the sidebar and repair it. If you can't get it repaired, take the computer to an Apple Store.
If the hard drive can't be repaired, the only option to recover your files is to use an application as DiskWarrior, but it's expensive and it's not sure that it will work, because it may fail

Pavillion zv5000 laptop wont boot from cd after mobo and hdd replace

So I inherited a dead zv5000 laptop with no hdd. I replaced the motherboard and CPU, and it powered up and booted from the cd drive with no hdd installed. I was able to run memtek and the original hp os recovery discs, with no hdd installed.
Then I put in an empty hdd. The bios sees the hdd ok, but I suddenly can't boot from the cd drive. The bios settings are correct, and the discs spin in the cd drive, but it wont boot with the recovery discs, memtek, or an original xp install disc.
When I remove the hdd, it still wont boot from the cd drive.
So I google and I read stuff about hp tattoos on hdds and motheboards and dmi, and no passwords for the average person to do the tattoo.
So what do I need to do ? I don't understand why it was good with the new motherboard, but as soon as I plugged in an hdd it wont do anyting. I cant update bios because I cant boot past the bios, and not sure how that would help anyway.

If you have an open firmware password, delete it. It will not boot off anything but HD with OF password. Or at least thats what it was for me.

Satellite L20-100 can be booted from external USB hard drive?

I recently bought Toshiba Satellite L20-100 and I wonder if:
1. is there any possibility to boot this machine from external usb hard drive?
2. it is possible to attach another internal hard drive?
Supposing that the both answers above are 'no', how can I solve the following problem: I need hdd space, I need to boot 3 separate Wxp Operating Systems onto the same machine (Toshiba Satellite L20-100).

Booting from external USB HD - "No" would be the official, mcrsoft sponsored, answer. However, it is possible. Not easy but it can be done. I've seen it done with my own eyes and there are guides how to do this. Just look for it with search engine. But if you have enough disk space you better do what was suggested here - create 3 partitions and use boot manager.

Sun v40z wont boot from external DVD/RW drive

Hello folks, I am banging my head on the wall with a Sun v40z that will not boot from an external dvd drive. I want to install Win2k3 Server on it. Any ideas.

The v40z is an x86 platform,and thus has a BIOS controlling the boot order and boot devices. You'll have to attach a VGA display and keyboard, power on the system, then hit F2 or F10 to enter Setup (it should say what magic key it is at startup time, just after the SUN logo splash screen comes up).
Enter the BIOS, and go to the menu for boot devices, making sure you select CD-ROM as a boot device before your regular boot disks or network boot devices. Then Save and Exit, restart the system, and it should see and use the CD for the boot device.
A caveat is that some early revisions of the BIOS's, especially ones on early x86 platforms like the v40z, will not recognize an external device as a boot device. You may have to download the latest BIOS, install it (uses a floppy, IIRC!), set the correct BIOS options again (they get wiped out when the BIOS is reinstalled), and then try the external CD boot again.
If this fails, you would be forced to install and internal CD device. This is not difficult, but is obviously more hassle than an external device.
Good luck!

Powermac Won't Boot From Leopard Disc, Hard Drive, etc.

I've tried to boot the computer from the cd, hard drive and other things but it will not boot because i don't know the open firmware password. Any ideas?

In fact, I have but I first saw yours.
This seems to be a relatively frequent problem.
I've even checked that Firmware Password Protection thing.
Apple procedure is puzzling to say the least. They say
it could prevent boot from DVD and advise to install
the app from the App DVD (the # 2 DVD delivered with the
MBP to correct this and deactivate FPP if it was activated in the first place.
I checked : no Firmware Password Protection in the DVD.
Usually, Apple never behave like Micro$oft, God forbid…
Message was edited by: Hellstan

Mac OS X crashes after hard drive installation

I just recently installed a new Hard Drive in my iBook G4. I noticed that after I installed OS X 10.4.2 the OS started crashing every time it booted. Ive done an APPLE HARD WARE TEST to see if my iBook was Ok & it was. I did an upgrade from 10.4.2 to 10.4.11 & the OS still crashes. I formated the drive & installed UBUNTU LINUX 7.10 to see if UBUNTU would crash, I was thinking it might be the drive that is defective, but no. Ubuntu linux runs great with no issues, the drive I installed is a HITACHI drive model:HTS541616J9AT00 & OS X 10.4.11 crashes always. WHY? ANY IDEAS?
Message was edited by: isaisos

Jup they are the installation disks that came with my ibook g4, & I have done that before,What u just said. The OS will crash during the boot, but sometimes im able to use my mac for a while then it crashes. I was thinking it was the HARD DRIVE but no, at this moment my ibook g4 is running UBUNTU LINUX with no issues. The hard drive is a hitachi drive, the support website says it needs no DRIVERS for the iBook. It has to be the OS not supporting my drive??? maybe??
Message was edited by: isaisos

Why can I not boot from my new hard drive?

After replacing my hard drive (40 Gb) with a larger (120 Gb) drive the computer will not boot. I can boot from the 10.4 system CD and have managed to install the system without problems, but after restarting the computer I only get to see a folder with a flashing question mark in it.
My computer is the first of the Titanium series (400 Mhz). The hard drive is a Seagate momentus 5400 rpm. Is there a compatibility issue here? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
PowerBook G4/400 Titanium Mac OS X (10.4)

Hi, StenErik. If I were you, I would forget about FireWire Target Disk Mode. I'd start the Powerbook from a retail OS X 10.4 installer DVD, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu, select the hard drive, reformat it as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)", check the box for installing OS 9 drivers, and then install Tiger. I can't explain why this should make the resulting installation any different from what you have installed now. But it seems to me there must be some detail you've failed to mention and we've failed to think of, and that detail, whatever it is, is much more significant than it seems: significant enough to prevent your Tibook from booting. Therefore, reverting to the most basic installation procedure possible, with as few external variables as possible, seems a useful thing to try. To minimize variables even further, disconnect all peripherals from the PB while reformatting and installing.
As Hardy has suggested, the size of your drive is not the issue. A 120GB drive should be fine.

How do you boot from an external hard drive if...

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer any advice. My 24" IMAC suddenly had hard drive ****. After much investigation it has been determined that my internal hard drive has bit the dust. Instead of taking the IMAC apart and replacing the internal drive(which I know a bit about and also could get help doing)can I just replace it with an external drive and load the OS on that and boot from there? If so what exactly, step by step, would I need to do? What are the disadvantages of doing this? If this is possible it seems like an easier solution than replacing the internal drive.
Again, thanks for the help.
Bill

easybpw wrote:
can I just replace it with an external drive and load the OS on that and boot from there?
Yes, but it's not recommended for long-term use.
If so what exactly, step by step, would I need to do?
First, make sure the drive will boot a Mac. Most will, but some won't. If it's a Western Digital, check here: http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/stdadp.php?pfaqid=1787. But note the disclaimer that they don't support it +*at all.+*
If you're reasonably sure the drive is capable of booting your Mac, you need to format it. Start up your Mac from the Install disc (insert it, and hold the "C" key while starting up). After selecting your language, select Utilities, then +Disk Utility+ from the menubar.
Select the drive, select the top line (with the make and size), click the Partition tab and select 1 Partition from the the pop-up menu under +Volume Scheme,+ unless you need more than one.
Give it a name under +Volume Information,+ and select +Mac OS Extended (Journaled)+ for the Format unless you're certain you need Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, journaled). Click the Options button below the box, and select GUID (that should be the default, but make sure), and click the OK button, then Apply. That should only take a few moments. Quit Disk Utility and you’ll see the Utilities menu again.
Quit that and proceed with the installation to the new drive. When done, I think it will reboot automatically from the external; if not, start up while holding down the Option key, which will give you the +Startup Manager,+ where you can select the desired drive.

ITunes wont open from my external hard drive onto my new laptop

i have an external hard drive connected to my desktop with all my itunes music on there. but when i connect the external to my new laptop, itunes wont open. it says i dont have itunes support or something like that. and the reason i have my music on the external is so i CAN open itunes from another computer. but this isnt happening right now. someone please help.

yea it is an error 2
Many thanks.
We'll try a "standalone" installation of Apple Application Support, then. (It may not install, but at least we'll have a better idea of what the problem is, based on any error messages we might get.)
Download and save a copy of the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64setup.exe) installer file to your hard drive:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
Download and install the free trial version of WinRAR:
http://www.rarlab.com/
Right-click the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64Setup.exe), and select "Extract to iTunesSetup" (or "Extract to iTunes64Setup"). WinRAR will expand the contents of the file into a folder called "iTunesSetup" (or "iTunes64Setup").
Go into the folder and doubleclick the AppleApplicationSupport.msi to do a standalone AAS install.
Does it install properly for you? If so, does iTunes launch properly now?
If instead you get an error message during the install, let us no what it says. (Precise text, please.)

Wont boot from CD after hard drive installation.

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